Zagreb, (IKA) – The liturgical guide to the celebration of the Eucharist to be led by Pope Benedict XVI on the occasion of his apostolic visit to Croatia and the First National Encounter of Croatian Families at the Zagreb Hippodrome on June 5 includes a reflection on the architecture of the liturgical area at the Hippodrome.
“The apostolic visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Croatia was conceived, prepared for and anticipated with the motto “Together in Christ.” It is a fortunate circumstance that the visit is occurring during the Easter season, in which we celebrate the fullness of communion with Christ the Lord, living the joy of the anticipation of ‘the promised gift from heaven,’ the Holy Spirit. Communion is the first name of the Spirit, his first gift. He is the bond of the unity of the Three Divine Persons; he is the source of the unity of the Church and the love that transforms the lives of believers. This awareness was the inspiration of those who designed and built the area of the celebration of the Eucharist at the Zagreb Hippodrome. The area was designed as a space that emphasizes the source of communion. Two hands, interpreting the motto of the encounter and the logo for the entire apostolic visit, through the clear language of architectural expression convey all the dynamics of ecclesiality and the divine transformation of unity. In the center is the altar, shielded and protected by a ‘hand,’ before which the Holy Father, the Peter of our days, will preside over the celebration. ‘This is a hand that connects the cross, altar and cathedra. The cross of Christ’s Paschal Mystery is an element of every celebration and a principle of every office in the Church.
“The second hand covers the altar area from above. Depicted in an epicletic gesture, it speaks of the descent of the Spirit and its sanctifying power in the liturgy of the Church. Below this hand will be the bishops, pastors of the Church and altar – a place of encountering the gift from above.
The entire space of the celebration and all the assembled community of believers are focused upon this place of encounter and communion. The stairs leading to the altar will focus attention and orient the path of the faithful assembled toward their partaking of the Mystery of Christ and the joyful beauty of His Church. On this path is the ambom, the place of the Word of God, which provides light to the faithful on their pilgrimage through the world. In the celebration space will also be the figure of Our Lady of Bistrica, whose shrine preserves the living memory of many answered prayers of the faithful who seek the intercession of the heavenly Church and commemorates significant events from the recent history of the Church among the Croats.
“At the foot of the area are twelve floral arrangements. Their number speaks of the integrity and community that do not exempt anyone, encouraging us to be open to all those who still do not find a place in Christ’s Church. Whiteness speaks of the blossoming gift from above. The Church is the place where the Holy Spirit blossoms,” states the liturgical guide to the area for the celebration of the Eucharist at the Hippodrome. The guide was prepared by the Committee of the Archdiocese of Zagreb for Preparations for the Visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Croatia and was published by the Croatian Institute of Liturgical Pastoral Ministry of the Croatian Conference of Bishops.